Umbrella structure



L. L. LEWIS.

UMBRELLA STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED' ocr. 1. 1919.

51A/vanto@ f aktozum Patented Deo. 16, 1919.

UNiTnn srars rn'rEn orme.

LESTER L. LEWIS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOKR 0F ONE-HALF T0 EDWARD H. BEARDSLEY, OF RIDLEY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA.

UMBRELLA STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Dec. 16, 1949.

Application filed 0ctober 7, 1919. Serial No. 329,002.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LESTER L. LEwrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrella Structures; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in umbrellas, and the object in view is the provision of means for preventing the dripping of moisture from a wet umbrella on the floor or elsewhere undesirably.

With this and further objects in view as will in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations .and arrangements of parts as subsequently specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing,-

Figure l is a fragmentary view of an umbrella embodying the features of the present invention, parts being seen in perspective and parts being seen in longitudinal, vertical central section.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and looking downward.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on a reduced scale.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, l indicates the usual conventional body of an umbrella having the usual handle 2 at one end of its stem, while the other end portion of the stem, protruding beyond the fabric of the umbrella body, is varied from the conventional structure of an umbrella by having the stem end portion 3 out or otherwise formed relatively short and threaded so as to receive an elongated cup or container 4. The cup or container 4 is preferably formed of cast aluminum or other light material, and is provided at its upper end or end engaging the stem 3 with a funnel-like depression 5 terminating in a threaded sleeve 9, which sleeve is in threaded engagement with the stem 3. Extending through the walls of the funnel-like portion 5 at the lower end of the funnel are apertures 6, 6, which lead to the interior of the container 4 and are so located as to provide effective channels for the drainage of water passing down the stem 3 or dripping off of the body of the umbrella.. Discharge apertures 6 are formed through the receptacle 4 at the upper end of the funnel-like portion 5. The receptacle 4 is preferably substantially torpedo shape, being a hollow, longitudinally tapering body, transversely circular and terminating in substantially an apex at its lower end, which apex is formed with a threaded bore 7 into which is screwed a steel or other appropriate tip 8.

In operation, when the umbrella 1 is wet, and the operator closes it as he enters a dwelling or other house, he naturally holds the umbrella by its handle 2 in a pendent position, or approximately so, and the moisture from the fabric of the umbrella drains i down to the tip. With the umbrella of ordinary construction, the moisture escapes therefrom to the floor or elsewhere where its presence is objectionable. With the present invention, however, this objectionable result does not follow, since the collecting moisture descends into the funnel-like portion 5 and through the ports or apertures 6 into the body of receptacle 4. When the operator passes out of the house again or at any other appropriate time when he desires to dispose of the collected moisture in receptacle 4, he only needs to lift the umbrella to a position of upward incline and the water will drain from the receptacle 4 out through the apertures 6 and 6 either onto the street or into a provi-ded receptacle, or otherwise at the will of the operator. No moisture will remain in receptacle 4 as the apertures 6 lead from the extreme end of the interior space of the receptacle so as to assure perfect drainage from the receptacle while emptying, and at the same time the apertures 6 do not change or affect in any respect the function of apertures 6. The aperture left by the temporary removal of the tip 8 affords an opportunity for thorough cleansing of receptacle 4 as by the projection of a cleansing stream into the receptacle through said aperture.

It is to be understood, of course, that the container 4 is a permanent part of the `umbrella structure and is intended to remain thereon at all times, and, yet, at the same time, the receptacle is adapted for easy and ready application to any umbrella now in use by the simple expediency of threading the projecting end portion of the stem of the umbrella. It is preferable, of course, to cut o the section or' the stem before threading the remainder for the application of the receptacle so that the funnel-like portion 5 may be in sufficient proximity to the terminal portion of the fabric of the umbrella to give the desired symmetrical appearance.

Vfhat claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a drain cup tor the stem of an umbrella comprising a receptacle of substantially torpedo shape formed with a funnel-like depression in its upper end terminating in a threaded sleeve having threading connection with the stem of the umbrella body, the funnel-like portion being formed with a drainage aperture leading into the receptacle above the sleeve.

2. As an article of manufacture, a drain cup Jfor the stem of an umbrella comprising a hollow body having an inwardly tapering funnel-like portion at its upper end terminating in a sleeve, the sleeve being adapted to surround the stem or' an umbrella and be iXed thereto, the funnel-like portion being formed with an intake drain aperture at its lower end and the hollow body being formed with a discharge aperture at its upper eX treme and at the upper end of the funnellilre portion.

In testimony whereof I atHX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LESTER L. LEWIS.

lVitnesses CHRISTIE H. FESLER, EDGAR M. KITCHIN. 

